Governor to promote computer science classes at high schoolsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will travel to high schools across the state to encourage students to enroll in computer science courses. Hutchinson's office announced Tuesday that the governor will travel to at least 10 high schools this month and that more locations will be announced later. Each of the selected schools has been asked to perform an hour of coding with the student body before the visit. The Republican vowed to ...

Little Rock retirement center sold for more than $16.5MLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Officials say a Little Rock retirement center has been sold to a real estate company for more than $16.5 million. The executive director of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System said on Monday that the Woodland Heights retirement center was sold to the Woodland Heights Al Real Estate LLC for $16.8 million. The retirement system acquired the center in 2001 after a company defaulted on a loan from the retirement system. The t...

'Elephant's Graveyard earns Troupe 6789 national exposureCLARKSVILLE — A small town thespian troupe has gained national attention after its invitation to the International Thespian Festival based off its recent performance at a state competition. The Clarksville High School Panther Theatre — Thespian Troupe 6789 — was invited to International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Neb., after a showcase performance at the State Thespian Festival in Russellville. The cast of 18 students were honored with Crit...

Pottsville hears from food companiesPOTTSVILLE — The Pottsville Board of Education met in a special session last week to hear from two food management companies regarding the possibility of outsourcing its food services. Chartwells and Aramark presented their proposals for the district to the board. “Hopefully next we we will make a recommendation to Arkansas Department of Education and Child Nutrition on who we would like to use,” Superintendent Larry Dugger said. “They will go...

Arkansas Tech trustees approve grant applicationArkansas Tech University will apply for grant funding to construct a new bicycle and pedestrian trail on the west side of its Russellville campus following approval by the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees on Wednesday. During a special conference call meeting, trustees voted in favor of applying for approximately $500,000 in grant funding from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. If selected for the grant, Arkansas Tech wou...

Clarksville student wins statewide chemistry challengeCLARKSVILLE — A sixth-grader from Clarksville won a statewide chemistry competition and received an all-expenses-paid trip to compete at the national level. Roc Webb, a student at Kraus Middle School, defeated a field of fifth- to eighth-grade students from across the state to become the 2015 Arkansas State You Be The Chemist Challenge Champion. Steven Lynch, also a sixth-grader from Kraus Middle School in Clarksville, was named first runner-u...

Holland returning to Lamar as superintendentLAMAR — After a two-year stint at Johnson County Westside, Jay Holland is returning to Lamar. But not as a coach, teacher or principal — Holland is returning as superintendent. After Lamar Superintendent Roy Hester announced his resignation in January, the School Board approved the employment of Holland, who previously taught and coached the Warriors for 13 years. Holland served as superintendent of Johnson County Westside for two years and wi...

Area high schools announce graduationsWith the coming of May comes the end of the school year, and for high school seniors, it’s the end of their last year of public schooling. With graduation just around the corner, it’s time to begin making plans for the commencement ceremonies that are fast approaching. Below is a list of area high school graduations scheduled for the coming weeks: — REACH will conduct its graduation at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1, at the Russellville Christian ...

Filing asks court to deny Jacksonville school party statusLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Lawyers for the Pulaski County Special School District have asked a federal judge to deny party status for the newly-formed Jacksonville School District in the decades-old desegregation case. U.S. District Court Judge D. Price Marshall Jr. earlier this month asked the parties in the case to respond to a request from the Jacksonville School District to be recognized as a full party in order to protect the district's interests...

UACCM commencement set for May 9MORRILTON — The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton has announced its spring commencement, which is scheduled on May 9 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the H.B. White Auditorium at Morrilton High School. The schedule for each field of study for the 10 a.m. ceremony include: Associate of Arts in General Education; General Studies; Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology; Automotive Collision Repair Technology; Automotiv...

Davis to continue dual roles as superintendent and coachHECTOR — During its Thursday meeting, the Hector Board of Education voted, after a half-hour executive session, to continue the employment of Superintendent Walt Davis as a basketball coach as well as an administrator. Davis took the helm of the Hector Lady Wildcats in January upon the resignation of previous coach Tiffany Phillips and took the senior high team to the state tournament. In the 2015-16 school year, he will serve as head coach of...

Reeder voted professor of the year at ATUBilly Reeder, assistant professor of journalism, is the 2014-15 Arkansas Tech University professor of the year. Reeder was chosen for the honor through voting by students April 13-15. A full-time member of the faculty since 2010, Reeder holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Arkansas Tech. He teaches classes ranging from the introductory level to the master level in the Arkansas Tech Department of Communication and Journalism. ...

RSD updated on construction projectsThe Russellville Board of Education approved phases of building projects, including an asphalt and pavilion project, the new gym seating and elementary roofs, during its meeting Tuesday at the administration office. Van Horn Construction Vice President Chad Weisler said bids were received for the asphalt and pavilion project at the high school. The project entails adding the gravel base and the asphalt to the gym project, as well as placing an...

RSD honors Quiz Bowl team during board meetingThe Russellville Board of Education recognized the Russellville High School (RHS) Quiz Bowl team during its meeting Tuesday at the administration office. The RHS Quiz Bowl team will face defending state champion Benton in the finals of the 6A State Tournament on Saturday in Conway. The event will be broadcast on AETN at 10 a.m. “They have done some things that no other team has done in school history, the best of which is they have made the st...

Science OlympiadRussellville fifth grade GT and sixth grade Pre-AP students participated Monday evening in the annual Science Olympiad held at UE5G. Science Olympiad is an academic competition where students form teams and compete in three out of 14 events that cover math and science.

'Those Kids from Dover' place first in eCYBERMISSIONThe U.S. Army recently announced the eighth-grade Those Kids from Dover team as a state winner in the 13th annual eCYBERMISSION competition — one of several science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives offered by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). eCYBERMISSION, sponsored by the U.S. Army and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), is a web-based STEM competition that is free to ...

Little Rock schools chief quits after plagiarism accusationLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The head of Arkansas' largest school district resigned Tuesday amid plagiarism questions involving his 2009 doctoral dissertation. The Arkansas Department of Education announced that Little Rock Superintendent Dexter Suggs was resigning immediately under an agreement reached with Education Commissioner Johnny Key, who took over in March. The agreement includes a severance package that will pay Suggs $46,208.50 within 10 days...

New plan gives teachers choice of split school districtsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Leaders from the Pulaski County Special School District are offering an alternative to the district's proposal for dividing teachers and principals between the district and the new Jacksonville/North Pulaski school district. The alternative plan was handed to the school district's Citizens Advisory Board on Monday. The alternative plan would give teachers and principals a choice about which district they would like to work i...

No one injured in RSD bus crashAt about 7:45 a.m. Monday, Russellville School District (RSD) Bus 18 was involved in an accident at the intersection of South Denver Avenue and 14th Street. The bus was struck in the rear by a vehicle. There were no students on the bus at the time of the accident, and there were no injuries to the bus driver. The Russellville Police Department cited the vehicle a stop sign violation for the accident.